The pundit elite was wrong last week when they declared Mitt Romney the inevitable winner of the Republican presidential nomination.

Those same pundits may be just as wrong this morning when they say the former Massachusetts governor is political road kill — crushed by that Middle American truck with “SANTORUM” on its side.

But the former Pennsylvania senator’s resounding victories in Missouri and Minnesota last night — and his shocking win over heavily favored Mitt Romney in Colorado — offer the pundit class some lessons in the vagaries of Americans politics. Here are a few of the lessons Romney needs to learn (quickly) if he is to regain his mojo:

1. Take Rick Santorum seriously.

Santorum has more depth than Rick Perry, more steadiness than Newt Gingrich and more family values than Herman Cain.

For Mitt Romney, a sobering evening (Jim Cole/Associated Press)

2. Give us a positive message.

It won’t work to tell us that you’re the candidate with the most money and the best organization. All the endorsements of all the establishment don’t mean very much. (Romney couldn’t even get 20 percent of the vote in Minnesota with the avid support of former Gov. Tim Pawlenty.) We don’t need to hear 59 point economic plans. We don’t need to hear that you love capitalism. We need to hear how you will create jobs and balance the budget.

3. Stop making mistakes.

Mitt has a long way to go to match Rick Perry in the gaffe department. But he’s had a few “oops” moments recently. Fair or not, Americans are getting the message that you don’t care about the very poor, that you enjoy firing people and that you like to make $10,000 bets. Running against a blue-collar Republican like Rick Santorum, Romney needs to be careful he doesn’t come across as a rich elitist.

4. Close the enthusiasm deficit.

Turnout was way down in Florida and Nevada, the two states Romney carried in romps. Despite his Nevada landslide, Romney’s vote total went down from four years ago. In Colorado, turnout was down in Romney strongholds and stronger in anti-Romney areas. To win a presidential marathon, Romney has to start getting voters — Republican voters — excited.

5. More Reagan. Less Dukakis.

“Inevitability” and “competence” don’t get you elected. Give us something to believe in. How will you make America great again … in the 21st century?